Footwear-former.



C. S. HUNTINGTON.

FOOTWEAR FORMER.

APPLICATION I'ILED 11111.25 1908.

966,551, Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

iiliilli ihj G. S. HUNTINGTON.

FOOTWBAR FORMER. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 25, 1908.

966,551 Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Z.

CHARLES S. HUNTINGTON,

OF OMAHA, NEBRASKA, ASSIGNOB TO A. T. AUSTIN, OF

OMAHA, NEBRASKA.

FOOTWEAR-FORMER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES S. HUNTING- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Omaha, in the county of Douglas and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Footwear- Formers or the Like, of which the following is a description.

My invention belongs to that general class of devices adapted to be used in the manufacture of footwear, particularly such as moccasins, hunting boots and the like, in which the vamp, quarter and sole are preferably formed integral and has for its objects the production of a more simple, eflicient and satisfactory device and article shown and described.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts, Figure 1, is a partial sectional view of my device, Fig. 2, is an elevation of the same taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3, is a blank of the material to be formed, Fig. 1, is a partial perspective view showing the operation of the device or a step in forming the article, Fig. 5, is a perspective view of the blank as formed, and, Fig. 6, is a perspective view of the completed foot-wear.

Referring to the drawings in which my preferred form of device is shown, the same comprises what may be termed a last, form or former 1 and a suitable die 2 therefor. As shown the die 2 is provided with a bed 3, the die being preferably removable from the bed so that various styles or sizes of former l and die 2 therefor may be employed. As shown the die 2 is provided with an opening therein registering with the form or former 1, any suitable means being employed for reciprocating the die or the former relatively to each other when in use. As shown, the form 1 is adapted to be reciprocated relatively to the die 2 and is provided with an extending rod or which is connected to press 6 (not shown in detail) 7 being a fly wheel or driving pulley'for the press. As is obvious, any style of press, whether hand or power for reciprocating the form 1 may Specification of Letters Patent.

bar 5 or the equivalent, and operated by the Patented A11 9, 1910.

Application filed. March 25, 1908. Serial No. 423,076.

be employed; hence I have not deemed it necessary to show the device or describe the press other than to say that the same is adapted in the construction shown to reciprocate the former 1 relatively to the die 2. As shown in Fig. 1, the form 1 is shown in itsraised position-and (in the dotted lines) in its position after it haspassed through the die. V i

The purpose of my device is to form from a blank 8 similar to that shown in 3, into a formed product similar to that shownin Fig. 5 which is preferably an integral vamp, quarter and sole for foot-wear. This formed product is adapted to be used as the sole and also lower part of the foot-wear, for ex ample, in moccasins, huntingboots and what is known as plow pacs or the like.

It is obvious that the material may be of any suitable kind, preferably leather of any desired or preferred kind, thickness or grade.

To form the blank into the finished product as shown in Fig. 5, it is placed between the die 2 and the form or former 1 as indicated in the dotted lines in Fig. 3 and the form 1 forced through the die giving the formed article, thevsame being without seams at the heel or toe or at other points.

It might be noted that the" blank 8 preferaloly has oil, water or an equivalent applied thereto before the operation of forming the same; the amount of oil or water depending upon the grade and kind of leather. For instance, for. certain kinds of light leather, water would be preferred or suitable; while for other kinds of leather, water would not be satisfactory and oil or its equivalent would be used. The amount of oil, water or the equivalent applied to the -material blank would depend upon the quality or kind of leather used, which may be such as is desired or preferred. 7

As shown in the drawings, the face edges of the opening in the die are preferably fluted as shown at 9. As is obvious when the blank is forced through the die, there is a surplus of material around the edge of the blank which thefluted edges tend to gather in or crimp and distribute; any other equivalent means may be employed for the same purpose.

In the preferred construction, I preferably provide means for increasing the strain during forming at what is substantially a point in the material blank corresponding to the the sole somewhat at or th and removable so that tion, 1 hence I ters Patent is:

' 1. In a device of the kinddescribed, a form in combination die is loosely hollow of the foot, thus raising or arching this point. This means preferably comprises members 10+10 eir equivalent arranged on each side adapted to contact with the blank to cause a strain between the same and the former, beforethe former entersthe die proper. The

members 10-10 also start the blank, turn ing up in the forming process. The members 10-10 are preferably made adjustable I they may be adjusted as desiredorremoved and others inserted.

Any suitable means may be employed to, position the blank, asshown a number of adjustable stops or positioners 11 are shown on the bed 3 forvthe purpose.

Fig. 5 shows a completed moccasin, con-j sisting of an upper secured to the finished form, giving a very substantlal and pracg t1cal moccasin.

tlcles other than thatshown and describedmaybe formed in themannerset forth with-f from the spirit ofrmy inven-f do-.not wish to be understood myself to the exact method sheet of material placed therebetween and removable means located ma te to the edges of said opening at the sire to secure by Let-;

strain at a point in the out departing as limiting form, arrangement shown and described.

What I claim and d tom and said walls being fluted 'substantially from top tobottom, of a form having a non-fluted edge adapted to project through said opening and cooperatingdirectly with the fluted wallthereof to shapethe material therebetween.

In a device of the kind described, a

form in combination with a suitabledie therefor provided with an opening therein: registering withthe form, and arranged to' cooperate therewith to shapea sheet of ma;

terialplaced therebetween, and independent;

means for increasing the forming strain'at a point in the material to the hollow of the foot.

blank corresponding and . therefor provided with 1 sides thereof for .Having thus described my invention, it is .obvious that various immaterial modifica-i tions may be made in same or' that. other ar-a form' in combination therefor provided with an opening therein substantially registering with the form and or combination, of parts with a suitable die therefor I provided with an opening 'therein substantially registering with the-form and arranged to cooperate therewith to shape a; sheet of material placed therebetween, means for reciprocating one of said-members rela -tively to the other, a bed plate on which the mounted, the bed plate having} an opening for the protrusion of.the formj and adjustable guides on the bedadjacentf to the connection of the die therewith, as; and forthe therefor with scribing 4. In a device of the kind described, a form in combination with a suitable die therefor provided with an opening therein substantially registering with the form, and arranged to cooperate therewith to shape a sheet of material placed therebetween, independent means located on the die proximate to the edges of said opening at the sides-thereof for increasing the forming strain at a point in the material blank corresponding to the hollow of the foot.

In a device of the kind described, a form in combination with a suitable die anopening therein substantially registering placed therebetween and adjustable means located on the die, proximate to the edges ofsaid opening at the increasing the forming strain at a point in the material blank corresponding to the hollow of the foot.

v.6. In a device of the kind described, a with a suitable die arranged to cooperate therewith to shape a on the die, proxisides thereof for increasing the forming material blank corresponding to the hollow. of the foot.

In a. device of the kind described, a form in combination with a suitable die therefor provided with an opening therein substantially registering with the form and arrangedto cooperate-therewith to shape a sheet of material placed therebetween and adjustable and removablemeans'located on the die, proximate. to the edges of said opening at the sides thereof for increasing the forming strain at a point in the material blank corresponding to the hollow of the foot.

8. In a device of the kind described, a form in combination with a suitable die tially registering with the form and arranged to cooperate therewith, to shape a sheet of material placed therebetween, means for distributing the surplus material acted upon, means for increasing the forming strain on the sheet of material at a point in thesame corresponding to the hollow of the foot and means for reciprocating the form relatively to the die.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the witnesses.

7 CHARLES S, HUNTINGTON. Witnesses: V

A. A. MOCLURE,

M. ENGLER.

with the form and.- arranged to cooperate therewith to shape a .sheetiof material an opening therein substanpresence of two isub- 

